DAY #185: Acts 4:5-22

The rulers, elders, and teachers of religious law made up the Jewish council—the same council that had condemned Jesus to death. This council acted as the ruling government of Israel. They handled the local problems and religious questions but had to work under Rome’s supervision. For crimes that carried capital punishment, they had to obtain Rome’s approval. For instance, the council had condemned Jesus to death, but it could not carry out the sentence; the Roman leader in the area alone had the authority to order an execution. That is why the religious leaders had taken Jesus to Pilate, the Roman leader in the Jerusalem area.

The council had seventy members plus the current high priest, who presided over the group. The Sadducees held a majority in this ruling group. These were the wealthy, intellectual, and powerful men of Jerusalem. Jesus’ followers stood before this council, just as He had.

Annas had been deposed as high priest by the Romans, who then had appointed Caiaphas, Annas’s son-in-law, in his place. But because the Jews considered the office of high priest a lifetime position, they still called Annas by that title and gave him respect and authority within the council.

The council asked Peter and John by what power, or in whose name, they had healed the man. They wanted to know what formula Peter and John had used. Their concern was more about the apostles’ teaching, but they began their questioning with the miracle, for the healed man was there as well. The actions and words of Peter and John threatened these religious leaders who, for the most part, were more interested in their reputations and positions than in the glory of God.

Peter quoted a familiar Old Testament passage—Psalm 118:22—and gave it new meaning. Most Jews regarded their nation, Israel, as the stone chosen by God but rejected by the nations. Jesus had referred to himself as the stone that the builders rejected. The cornerstone was the most important stone in a building, used as the standard to make sure that the other stones of the building were straight and level. Israel’s leadership, like the builders looking for an appropriate cornerstone, would toss Jesus aside because he didn’t seem to have the right qualifications. They wanted a political king, not a spiritual one. Peter made it clear that you builders were the Jewish religious leaders.

Yet God’s plans will not be thwarted. One day the rejected stone will become the cornerstone, for Jesus will come as King to inaugurate an unending Kingdom. He already had begun a spiritual Kingdom as the cornerstone of a brand-new “building,” the Christian church. Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection would be the church’s foundation.

The resurrected Jesus had healed the crippled man physically. That same Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, can heal all people spiritually. Salvation does not come from being a descendant of Abraham or by following the law of Moses. The clear gospel teaching is that there is salvation in no one else but Jesus.

Peter and John, fishermen by trade, had never received formal theological or rhetorical training in the rabbinical schools; they were ordinary men who had had no special training. Yet they were bold, composed, confident, and undaunted in their defense. As the apostles stood there with the healed cripple, speaking with authority, the members of the council recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Their boldness was possible only because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

The council was in a quandary. The apostles had performed an undeniable, widely publicized miraculous sign. The masses were gravitating toward this new sect. How could the religious leaders save face (in light of the obviously healed man), discourage further teaching and healing in the name of Jesus, and preserve the status quo? Their solution was to order the apostles not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again. It seems as though they thought that their power and position could convince these men to be silent.

Peter and John announced their rejection of any such ban on speaking in the name of Jesus. In effect, the apostles’ response accused the council of being at odds with the will of God. The apostles already knew the answer, so they asked the council members to judge for themselves whether they should obey the council’s orders or God’s.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, thank You for the courage of Peter and John. Build that same courage into us today. Remind us that the power to stand for You and speak for You and live for You comes not from ourselves, but from Your Holy Spirit. The courage and boldness so needed today in Your church comes from being with You. Spending time in Your word. Being quiet in meditation upon Your word. The courage to do what is right in a world that has gone wrong comes from being in Your presence through prayer. Teach us that Lord. Raise up men and women at COV who will be bold and courageous for You. Not in their own power, but through Your power.

Lord, have Your hand upon our country. We have lost our way. Bring our leaders to their knees. Humble them and humble us. Pour out Your spirit upon our country and bring revival again. Let us turn back to You.